Rodless slide assembly

ABSTRACT

A rodless slide assembly is provided having first and second longitudinally extending chambers. A piston assembly is disposed in the first longitudinally extending chamber and is movable relative thereto. A slide assembly is disposed in the second longitudinally extending chamber and also movable relative thereto.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/706,155 filed on Nov. 12, 2003, entitled Rodless SlideAssembly, which is related to and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/426,521, filed on Nov. 15, 2002, entitledDual Chamber Rodless Slide. The subject matter disclosed in thatprovisional application is hereby expressly incorporated into thepresent application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to slide mechanisms, and moreparticularly, to rodless slide assemblies and improvements thereto.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Typical rodless slide assemblies include an elongated chamber having amovable saddle disposed thereon. A piston assembly is located within thechamber and is moveable reciprocally under fluid pressure within thechamber. The slide assembly is “rodless” because there is no piston rodattached to the piston assembly. Conventional rodless slide assembliesinclude a portion of the piston assembly extending through a slotdisposed in the chamber. This portion of the piston assembly is coupledexternally to the saddle which moves with the piston assembly. It isupon this saddle that a tool or a work piece can be mounted or securedfor use in manufacturing facilities or workstations, for example.

The piston assembly is sealed from the saddle by means of a sealingstrip or band located over the periphery of the slot. Conventionally,the portion of the piston assembly that extends through the slot does sobetween the periphery of the slot and the sealing strip. When the pistonassembly moves, a portion of the sealing strip is separated from theperiphery of the slot. After the piston passes, the strip or band isresiliently repositioned over the slot to seal the same from theexterior.

It would be beneficial to provide a rodless slide assembly as analternative configuration to perform the above-described and otherfunctions of rodless slide assemblies.

Accordingly, an illustrative embodiment of a rodless slide assembly isprovided herein comprising first and second longitudinally extendingchambers. The second longitudinally extending chamber is locatedadjacent the first longitudinally extending chamber and is incommunication therewith. A piston assembly is disposed in the firstlongitudinally extending chamber and is movable relative thereto. Aslide assembly is disposed in the second longitudinally extendingchamber and is movable relative thereto. The piston assembly is coupledto the slide assembly.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the rodless slideassembly may also comprise: a longitudinally extending slot locatedbetween first and second longitudinally extending chambers; a slotproviding communication between chambers; a linear seal being positionedbetween first and second longitudinally extending chambers; a pistonseal being located in a first longitudinally extending chamber; a pistonseal having a cavity that is complimentarily shaped and engages aportion of a linear seal; a first longitudinally extending chamberreceiving first and second piston seals with a piston assembly locatedtherebetween; a second longitudinally extending chamber having alongitudinally extending channel disposed therein; a slide assemblycomprising a bearing member extending therefrom; a bearing member beinglocated in a longitudinally extending channel and being configured formovement therein; the bearing member being a bearing rail; a grommetbeing attachable to a piston assembly and coupling to a slide assemblyso that actuation of a piston assembly causes the slide assembly tomove; a longitudinally extending opening being disposed through a secondlongitudinally extending chamber; a longitudinally extending cover beingpositioned over the opening; a portion of a slide assembly extendingfrom an opening, and receiving a portion of the cover and attaching toan outer cap; a slide assembly comprising a bearing member extendingtherefrom and engaging the inner surface of a second longitudinallyextending chamber; a slide assembly comprising a plurality of bearings,each configured to engage the inner surface of a second longitudinallyextending chamber; a slide assembly comprising a body that isselectively expandable and contractible to adjust tolerance between aplurality of bearings and the inner surface of a second longitudinallyextending chamber; and expandability of a slide assembly beingaccomplished by at least one slot and one fastener wherein the fastenercan either separate or contract the slot to either selectively expand orcontract the slide assembly.

Another illustrative embodiment provides a rodless slide assemblycomprising a piston assembly, a longitudinally extending chamber and aslide assembly. The slide assembly is located and moveable within thelongitudinally extending chamber. The piston assembly is incommunication with the slide assembly and is located exterior of thelongitudinally extending chamber.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the rodless slideassembly may also comprise: a piston assembly being located in anotherlongitudinally extending chamber; a slide assembly being connected to asaddle located exterior of the longitudinally extending chamber; apiston assembly being spaced apart from a slide assembly; a slideassembly being movable in a plane that is located substantially parallelto a piston assembly; a slide assembly being connected to a saddlelocated exterior of the longitudinally extending chamber; alongitudinally extending chamber being located in a housing and beingpositioned substantially parallel to another longitudinally extendingchamber that receives a piston assembly; and a housing having a slotdisposed therein which provides communication between piston and slideassemblies.

Another illustrative embodiment provides a rodless slide assemblycomprising a piston and a slide. Both the piston and slide are locatedwithin a housing. The piston is actuated for reciprocal movement and theslide is attached to the piston for concurrent movement therewith. Inaddition, the slide and piston are located in separate chambers.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the rodless slideassembly may also comprise: the chambers being located substantiallyparallel to each other; and a saddle being attached to a slide andlocated exterior of a housing.

Another illustrative embodiment provides a rodless slide assemblycomprising first and second longitudinally extending chambers, a pistonassembly, a slide assembly, an arm, a carriage and a saddle. The secondlongitudinally extending chamber is located adjacent the firstlongitudinally extending chamber. The chambers have a slot locatedtherebetween. The piston assembly is located in the first longitudinallyextending chamber and is moveable relative thereto. The slide assemblyis located in the second longitudinally extending chamber and is movablerelative thereto. The arm is located in the slot and is attached to thepiston assembly and to the slide assembly. The second longitudinallyextending chamber includes a longitudinally extending opening. Thecarriage extends from the longitudinally extending opening. The saddleis attached to the carriage and is located exterior of the secondlongitudinally extending chamber.

Another illustrative embodiment provides a rodless slide assemblycomprising first and second longitudinally extending chambers. The firstchamber comprises a powered actuation means, and the second chambercomprises a slide means. The slide means engages the actuation means aswell as an attachment means located exterior of the rodless slideassembly.

Additional features and advantages of the rodless slide assembly willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the illustrated embodimentexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the dual chamber rodlessslide assembly as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to theattached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual chamber rodless slide assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one illustrative embodiment of a dualchamber rodless slide assembly;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled dual chamber rodlessslide assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of another illustrative embodiment of a dualchamber rodless slide assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled dual chamber rodlessslide assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the dualchamber rodless slide assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 7 is a top, cross-sectional view of the interior of the embodimentof the dual chamber rodless slide assembly of FIGS. 2, 3 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of the embodiment ofthe dual chamber rodless slide of FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective, detail view of the dual chamber rodless slideassembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of the embodiment ofthe dual chamber rodless slide assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of the dual chamber rodless slide assembly ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is another perspective, partially cut-away view of theembodiment of the dual chamber rodless slide assembly of FIGS. 4, 5, 10and 11;

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the dual chamber rodless slide assembly ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional, detail view of a slot and a linear sealportion of a dual chamber rodless slide assembly;

FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional, detail view of the slot and linearseal of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional, perspective view of a portion of a dualchamber rodless slide assembly;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional, perspective detail view of the dualchamber rodless slide assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of a dual chamberrodless slide assembly;

FIG. 19 is a perspective, detail view of the cut-away portion of thedual chamber rodless slide assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is another perspective, detail view of the cut-away portion ofthe dual chamber rodless slide assembly of FIGS. 19 and 18;

FIG. 21 is a perspective, isolated view of a portion of a dual chamberrodless slide assembly;

FIG. 22 is a detail view of the portion of the dual chamber rodlessslide assembly of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is another isolated perspective view of a portion of a dualchamber rodless slide assembly;

FIG. 24 is a detail view of a portion of the dual chamber rodless slideassembly of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a piston seal and linear sealportions of the dual chamber rodless slide assembly;

FIG. 26 is a top view of one illustrative embodiment of a piston seal;

FIG. 27 is a side, cross-sectional view of the piston seal shown in FIG.26 along lines 27;

FIG. 28 is a top view of another illustrative embodiment of a pistonseal;

FIG. 29 is a side, cross-sectional view of the piston seal of FIG. 28shown along lines 29; and

FIG. 30 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of the dual chamberrodless slide assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A perspective view of a dual chamber rodless slide assembly 2 is shownin FIG. 1. Assembly 2 comprises a longitudinally extending body 4bounded by cap blocks 6 and 8. A saddle assembly 10 is located on thetop exterior of slide assembly 2 and is movable along the length of samein directions 12 and 14. The saddle assembly 10 slides or moves alongthe exterior of slide assembly 2 adjacent band 16 which isillustratively fastened to end caps 6 and 8 via clamps 18 and 20 usingfasteners 22. Fluid controls 24 and 26 are illustratively located atcaps 6 and 8, respectively, to provide fluid into fluid ports 170 and172 in the interior of rodless slide assembly 2. (See, also, FIG. 7.)The fluid supplies the power that ultimately drives the saddle assembly10 in directions 12 and 14, depending on the alternating supply of thatfluid into controls 24 and 26. In this illustrative embodiment,attachment channels 28 are disposed longitudinally within body 4 forattaching to components of a workstation or assembly line. Saddleassembly 10 also comprises mount bores 30 to allow the saddle assembly10 to attach to any variety of accessories. An access port 32 is showndisposed within cap 6. The access port 32 illustratively receives shockabsorbing members or locating pins to limit the travel of slide assembly46 or carriage 76. (See, also, FIGS. 8 and 12.) It is appreciated that asimilar access port is provided in cap 8 for similar purposes.

An exploded view of one illustrative embodiment of a dual chamberrodless slide assembly 40 is shown in FIG. 2. Assembly 40 comprises abody 42, a piston assembly 44, a slide assembly 46, and saddle assembly10. The body 42 comprises a piston cylinder or chamber 48 and a slidecylinder or chamber 50, both extending longitudinally therethrough.Illustratively, a slot 52 is located between piston chamber 48 and slidechamber 50, providing communication therebetween. Additionally, slidechamber 50 includes a longitudinally extending opening 54, allowingcommunication between slide chamber 50 and the exterior of body 42. Inthis illustrative embodiment, piston chamber 48 is configured to receivepiston assembly 44. Piston assembly 44 comprises a piston 56 having across-section which generally conforms to the cross-section of pistonchamber 48. Bounding the ends of piston 56 are piston caps 58. Pistoncaps 58 are configured to provide the ends of piston 56 and receivepiston seals 60. (See, also, FIG. 7.) Other sealing caps or members canbe disposed in caps 6 or 8 to appropriately seal assembly 40. Fasteners62 are disposed through both piston 56 and piston caps 58 to secure sameto the piston 56. Piston assembly 44 further comprises a grommet 64which attaches thereto. A linear seal 66 is at least partially extendedinto a bore 68 of piston 56 and extends from slot portions 70.Illustratively, piston 56 can be made from a milled material, such asaluminum, with bores 68 and slot portions 70 milled therein.

It is appreciated that body 42 may be made from either one or aplurality of extruded aluminum sections and may be anodized to protectits surface. The extrusion may incorporate the bore of the cylinder orchamber, the geometry for mounting the slide block rail, and the groovesin the slide chamber for the bearing members. Again, it is appreciatedthat body 42 may be composed of one or more components. For example,separate extrusions can be made for the piston chamber 48 and the slidechamber 50, with the two attached to form a complete body.

Grommet 64 is illustratively fitted into a pocket 72 formed in piston56, illustratively, between slot portions 70. It is appreciated thatgrommet 64 provides support and guidance for linear seal 66, as well asallowing piston assembly 44 to float in alignment with slide assembly46. (See, also, FIGS. 7 and 17 through 20.) It is appreciated thatgrommet 64 may be made of a polyurethane or other shock absorbing orsemi-rigid material that can absorb any impact forces created on eitherthe piston or slide assemblies at the end of a stroke. Grommet 64 mayalso be configured to accommodate misalignment or tolerances between thepiston or slide assemblies.

It is appreciated that piston 56 can be made from aluminum tubing, forexample, with piston caps 58 pinned thereto with fasteners 62. It isfurther appreciated that piston assembly 44, or even piston 56 itself,can be machined to accept any array of optional switches, switchmagnets, or sensors. It is also contemplated that piston caps 58 can bemachined with radius and angles to guide linear seal 66 during assemblyand automatic cycling.

Piston seals 60 may illustratively be made from a polyurethane or otherplastic or rubber-like material. The edges of seals 60 may be rounded tokeep the seal from removing any grease lubrication located on theperiphery of piston chamber 48. (See, also, FIG. 25.) It is furtherappreciated that the edges of seal 60 may be ribbed to carry additionalgrease to needed areas along the travel of piston assembly 44.

A slide assembly 46 is configured to be received within slide chamber50. In this illustrative embodiment, slide assembly 46 comprises slideblocks 74, 75, and a carriage 76. In this illustrative embodiment, slideblock rail 77 is attached to the underside of slide blocks 74 and 75. Alongitudinally extending nut 78 is configured to be fitted within railslot 80. (See, also, FIG. 3.) Nut 78 is attached to slide block rail 77.

Nut 78 is configured to attach rail 77 in chamber 50. It is appreciatedthat nut 78 can alternatively be a plurality of nuts located in slot 80.It is further appreciated that rail 77 can be attached to chamber 50 inany variety of ways as an alternative to nut 78 and fasteners 82. Inthis illustrative embodiment, carriage 76 is located on top of blocks74, 75, opposite rail 77. Fasteners 84 illustratively attach carriage 76to blocks 74, 75. It is appreciated, however, that rail 77 can belocated anywhere in chamber 50. It is further appreciated that theblocks and rails can be made from any suitable materials, includinghardened stainless steel, for example. It is further appreciated thatthe slide assembly may be used without any rail, and that the slide andcarriage may be separate structures. In other illustrative embodiments,however, the slide and carriage may be a unitary structure.

A slot 86 is formed in carriage 76 and is configured to receive aportion of band 16. An arm 88 is attached to assembly 46, as well asconnects to piston assembly 44 so that, as fluid powers piston assembly44, any movement that results thereto translates into movement of slideassembly 46. In this illustrative embodiment, at least a portion of arm88 is disposed within slot 52 of body 42 in order to connect assemblies44 and 46 together. For example, arm 88 engages grommet 64 of pistonassembly 44, and is located adjacent linear seal 66 so that assemblies44 and 46 can move concurrently without fluid, that is powering pistonassembly 44, leaking from chamber 48 to chamber 50.

Saddle assembly 10 is located exterior of body 42, as previously shownin FIG. 1, and comprises saddle 90, guide rollers 92, and scraper 94. Inthis illustrative embodiment, saddle 90 is attached to carriage 76 viafasteners 96. Saddle 90 is illustratively made from anodized aluminum.Rollers 92 and scraper 94 are positioned below saddle 90. In thisillustrative embodiment, magnetic strips 98 border the edges of opening54 and are configured to magnetically adhere to band 16. Band 16 isillustratively made from UHB 716 stainless steel. The magnetic strips 98are illustratively made from magnetic particles bound together in arubberized compound. Band 16 is configured to be disposed in slot 86 ofcarriage 76 with the raised portions 100 on carriage 76 extending aboutband 16 and attaching to saddle 90. This attachment allows movement ofsaddle 90 to be concurrent with slide assembly 46 and piston assembly44. The rollers 92 are configured to maintain band 16 against magneticstrips 98 when portions of band 16 exit slot 86. This allows themaintenance of a seal between slide chamber 50 and the exterior of body42. Scraper 94 bounds the lower periphery of saddle 90 to protect theinterior of the assembly 40. (See, also, FIGS. 8 and 9.)

Cap blocks 6 and 8 are illustratively made of anodized aluminum. Theblocks 6 and 8 are attached to the ends of body 42 via fasteners 102,sealing off the ends of chambers 48 and 50. Blocks 6 and 8 also receivecap seals 104 to prevent fluid power from escaping between the caps 6and 8 and the ends of the chambers 48. Caps 6 and 8 may further comprisea bore 106 which provides access into the slide chamber 50 to provideshock absorbers at the ends thereof. It is also appreciated that blocks6 and 8 may also retain band 16 and the ends of linear seal 66. (See,also, FIG. 7.)

A cross-sectional, assembled view of dual chamber rodless slide assembly40 is shown in FIG. 3. This view shows the illustrative attachmentbetween piston assembly 44 and slide assembly 46. For example, piston 56is shown located within piston chamber 48. Grommet 64 is coupled topiston 56, illustratively extending into bore 68. Linear seal 66 isshown coupled to grommet 64 within bore 68. Arm 88, illustrativelyhaving a narrow stem 108, extends through slot 52 and couples withgrommet 64. In this illustrative embodiment, arm 88 comprises a headportion 110 that interference fits with cavity 112 disposed in grommet64.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is slide assembly 46 disposed in slide chamber 50.In this illustrative embodiment, arm 88 is attached to carriage 76. Inaddition, slide block 74 is removable with respect to rail 77. It isappreciated herein that slide block rail 77 is a bearing member thatengages bearing surface(s) 79 of blocks 74 and 75 to permit movement ofsame. It is further appreciated the bearing surfaces 79 may comprise aplurality of ball bearings, or a bearing slide, for example, to engagerail 77.

Carriage 76 is shown attached at its lower end to blocks 74 and 75. Inthis illustrative embodiment, carriage 76 includes a neck 114 thatextends upwardly through opening 54 to the exterior of body 42. In thisillustrative embodiment, carriage 76 flares outwardly from neck 114 toform the extending portions 100 as shown therein. Also shown is slot 86formed at the upper periphery of carriage 76 and bounded at its top endby the lower portion of saddle 90. Illustratively, locating guide pins116 are disposed within openings 118 and 120 of carriage 76 and saddle90, respectively. This arrangement helps ensure proper alignment betweenthe saddle 90 and the carriage 76. Also shown in this view is scraper94, which engages the upper surface of assembly 40, again, to preventexcessive contaminants from affecting the operation of the assembly. Itis appreciated that scraper 94 can be made from a flexible material,such as polyurethane. Additionally, shown at the periphery of opening 54are magnetic strips 98 which are configured to engage and hold band 16.(See, also, FIG. 6.) Also shown in this view are attachment channels 28,previously discussed with respect to FIG. 1.

An exploded view of another illustrative embodiment of a dual chamberrodless slide assembly 130 is shown in FIG. 4. Similar to the rodlessslide assembly 40 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this rodless slide assembly130 comprises the aforementioned piston assembly 44 with grommet 64 andlinear seal 66. In addition, assembly 130 comprises the aforementionedsaddle assembly 10, as well as caps 6 and 8. Still further, assembly 130comprises the arm 88. (See, also, FIG. 12.) In contrast to rodless slideassembly 40, rodless slide assembly 130 comprises a slide assembly 132.Slide assembly 132 comprises a slide block 134 with bearing members 136engagable therewith. The bearing members 136 are each engagable withinone of an illustrative plurality of cavities 138 located at theperiphery of block 134. The bearing members 136 extend from the cavitiesand are engagable with the inner walls of slide chamber 140 disposedlongitudinally through body 142. Similar to the previous embodiment,however, chamber 140 includes opening 54 and slot 52 for the samepurposes as previously discussed with respect to assembly 40. Block 134further illustratively comprises sizing slots 144 and 146. To assist incompensating for tolerances between the cross-sectional size of block134 with respect to slide chamber 140, it is contemplated that thecross-sectional area of block 134 is expandable or contractible. Forexample, set screws 148 are disposed through bores 150 to either expandor contract slots 144 or 146 which causes corresponding expansion orcontraction of block 134. This adjustability allows proper matingbetween block 134, bearings 136, and slide chamber 140. (See, also, FIG.5.)

Similar to assembly 40, block 134 of assembly 130 includes a slot 86which, too, is configured to receive band 16, such as that describedwith respect to assembly 40. In addition, saddle assembly 10 includesrollers 92 and scraper 94 to keep the band 16 positioned against themagnetic strips 98, and to wipe contaminants from the area of band 16 aspreviously discussed.

A cross-sectional view of the dual chamber rodless slide assembly 130 isshown in FIG. 5. In this illustrative embodiment, piston assembly 44 isattached to slide assembly 132 in similar fashion to that described withrespect to rodless slide assembly 40. For purposes of clarity,therefore, those details have not been reproduced in FIG. 5. Rather,slide chamber 140 is shown with slide assembly 132 located therein. Inthis illustrative embodiment, block 134 is shown riding on bearingmembers 136. Illustratively, longitudinally extending arcuate channels152 are formed within the periphery of chamber 140. Longitudinallyextending arcuate channels 152 form the surface with which bearingmembers 136 engage when slide assembly 132 travels within chamber 140.It is appreciated that in one illustrative embodiment, cavities 138 arearcuately formed. This allows a tolerance to exist between slide block134 and longitudinally extending arcuate channels 152 in chamber 140 topermit proper mating between said chamber 140 and assembly 132. Bearingmembers 136 are allowed to move within the cavity so as to best positionthemselves with respect to longitudinally extending arcuate channels152.

Further assisting in providing the proper tolerance between slideassembly 132 and slide chamber 140 is the ability of sizing slots 144and 146 to be adjustable, as previously discussed. For example, setscrew 148 can be disposed within bore 150 and engage slot 144. Disposingset screw 148 further within slot 144, block 134 will be caused toexpand. Conversely, retracting set screw 148 from slot 144 causes block134 to contract. Similarly, another set screw 148, located withinanother bore 150, can be disposed into slot 146 such that, as the setscrew 148 tightens, it too expands the space 156, thereby expanding thecross-sectional area of block 134. Depending on the adjustments made toset screws 148, the proper tolerances between block 134, bearing members136, and longitudinally extending arcuate channels 152 of chamber 140can be optimized to allow proper movement of assembly 132 within chamber140. Locking bolts 190 are disposed in bores 192 to lock the size ofblock 134. (See, also, FIG. 11.)

A side, cross-sectional view of the dual chamber rodless slide assembly40 of FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown in FIG. 6. This assembled, cross-sectionalview shows the relationship between slide assembly 46 with carriage 76and saddle assembly 10. In this illustrative embodiment, slide assembly46 is shown located within slide chamber 50 wherein nut 78 is positionedwithin rail slot 80. Also shown is nut 78 attached to rail 77 viafasteners 82. Arm 88 is also shown attached to slide carriage 76 betweenblock 74 and 75. Carriage 76 has an arcuate slot 86 at its uppersurface. Accordingly, as slide assembly 46 moves within chamber 50 indirections 12 or 14, band 16 is raised, separating the same frommagnetic strip 98. This allows slide assembly 46, carriage 76, andsaddle assembly 10 to move unimpeded by band 16. Though it is desirableto separate the exterior from slide chamber 50, accomplished by band 16,displacement of a portion of band 16 occurs illustratively at carriage76 during movement of the same in directions 12 and 14. In order tomitigate the displacement of band 16 from magnetic strips 98, therollers 92, shown below saddle 90, are placed at the ends of the arcuateportions of carriage 76. Accordingly, as slide assembly 46 and carriage76 pass, roller 92 applies a force against the separated portion of band16 to re-couple the same with magnetic strip 98. This allows thedisplacement of band 16 to only occur at carriage 76. Once that carriagepasses, the rollers 92 reunite band 16 with the magnetic strip, therebymaintaining a seal between the exterior and slide chamber 50. Also shownin this view is scraper 94, a portion of which is fitted within a cavity158 and saddle 90, and depending downwardly to scrape against band 16and the top surface of body 42. Having scraper 94 border the carriage76, contaminants are essentially kept from migrating to the area whereband 16 is separated from magnetic strip 98.

It is appreciated that in FIGS. 6 through 15, and 18 through 20, thestroke in directions 12 and 14 have been reduced substantially. Thislimited stroke is for illustrative purposes only, to show the variousstructures of the disclosure. It is contemplated that the stroke forsaddle 90 between end caps 6 and 8 can be any desired distance, and isnot limited to that shown in the figures.

A top, cross-sectional view of the interior of dual chamber rodlessslide assembly 40 is shown in FIG. 7. This view shows the relativearrangement of components within the interior of body 42. For example,piston assembly 44 is shown located within piston chamber 48, and slideassembly 46 is shown located within slide chamber 50. Arm 88 is shownlocated between blocks 74 and 75, extending through slot 52 andattaching to grommet 64 of piston 56. Linear seal 66 is illustrativelyshown attached at caps 6 and 8. Illustratively, a bore 160 is disposedwithin each end cap 6 and 8 as shown. A fastener 162 is disposed withineach bore 160 and enters into a cavity 164, into which the linear seal66 extends. The fastener 162 engages linear seal 66 against a surfacewithin cavity 164, wedging the seal 66 therebetween.

Also depicted in FIG. 7 is linear seal 66 segregating piston assembly 44from slide assembly 46. In this embodiment, a portion of linear seal 66follows slot 52, providing a barrier between chambers 48 and 50. Anotherportion of linear seal 66 then enters piston assembly 44 between pistonseals 60. A portion of seal 66 enters slot 70 and bore 68 within piston56. As piston assembly 44 moves in either direction 12 or 14, pistonassembly 44 and slide assembly 46 move with respect to linear seal 66.The end points of linear seal 66 remain stationary, and only the lengthof the seal moves in directions 166 and 168, depending on whichparticular portion of seal 66 is moving into or out of piston 56,respectively. Despite a sinusoidal-like movement seal 66 makes, itmaintains a seal between itself and piston seals 60, thus, maintainingfluid separation between chambers 48 and 50.

Fluid ports 170 and 172, which are in fluid communication with fluidcontrols 24 and 26, respectively, are shown in FIG. 7. (See, also, FIG.1.) To move piston assembly 44 in direction 14, fluid is supplied intofluid port 170, which is in communication with bore 174. Illustratively,a stud extending from piston cap 58 is disposed in bore 174. The fluidfrom port 170 begins acting on the stud 176, piston cap 58, and seal 60,causing the fluid to enter and fill chamber 48 between piston and capseals 60 and 104. The force of the increasing amounts of fluid enteringchamber 48 causes the space within the chamber to expand, which causespiston assembly 44 to move, in this case, in direction 14. Consequently,as piston assembly 44 moves, it being attached to slide assembly 46 viaarm 88, slide assembly 46 is caused to move concurrently. The movementof slide assembly 46 causes carriage 76 and saddle assembly 10 exteriorof body 42, as shown in FIG. 6, to move concurrently as well.

Conversely, to move piston assembly 44 in direction 12, fluid issupplied into fluid port 172 which deposits the same in bore 178. Stud180, extending from piston cap 58, begins to move in response to theforce created by the increasing amounts of fluid entering thereto. Inthis case, the fluid entering chamber 48 between seals 60 and 104, too,requires additional space and, therefore, forces piston assembly 44 indirection 12. As also previously discussed, the slide assembly beingattached to piston assembly 44 via arm 88, as well as carriage 76 andsaddle assembly 10 being attached to slide assembly 46, will all moveconcurrently with the movement of piston assembly 44 in direction 12.Seals 105 are illustratively located about the periphery of studs 176and 180.

Perspective, partially cut-away views of dual chamber rodless slideassembly 40 are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. These views, again, show thestructural relationship of slide assembly 46 with carriage 76 and saddleassembly 10. Also shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is the interaction betweenroller 92 and band 16. As the detail view of FIG. 9 shows, roller 92,being located near the periphery of saddle 90, is configured to create adownward force onto band 16 so that as saddle assembly 10 finishespassing over a particular location on band 16, roller 92 will assist inreplacing band 16 against magnetic strip 98. Again, this occurs because,as saddle assembly 10 passes a particular location on band 16, carriage76 separates band 16 from magnetic strip 98. This separation allows theconnection between the internal carriage 76 and the external saddle 90.Once these structures have passed, however, roller 92 rejoins band 16 tomagnetic strip 98. Also shown in FIG. 9 is scraper 94, whichillustratively includes a blade 182 to scrape the surface of the body 42and band 16. Also shown in FIG. 8 are shock absorbing members 184 and186. Each of the shock absorbers 184 and 186 comprise a head, such ashead 188 shown attached to shock absorber 186. Illustratively, the shockabsorbers are disposed through bore 106 of either cap 6 or 8, and extendinwardly into chamber 50. (See, also, FIG. 6.) In this illustrativeembodiment, head 188 engages carriage 76 to reduce impact forces againstthe same that might result at the end of a stroke.

A perspective, partially cut-away view of dual chamber rodless slideassembly 130 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. These views better show therelationship between set screws 148 and locking bolts 190. In thisillustrative embodiment, when the dimensions of slide block 134 are setby either contracting or expanding slots 144 and 146, a locking bolt 190is disposed through bore 192 in order to maintain a fixed size. In thisillustrative embodiment, bolt 190 extends from the top to the bottom,crossing both slots 144 and 146. Tightening bolts 190 assist in keepingthe set screws 148 in their fixed position. The similarity of assembly40 and assembly 130, with respect to band 16 separating from magneticstrip 98, is also shown in FIG. 11. It is appreciated that the saddleassembly 10 can be used on both slide assembly embodiments 40 and 130.

Perspective, partially cut-away views of dual chamber rodless slideassembly 130 are also shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. These views show therelative positioning of bearing members 136 with respect to slide block134, as well as the longitudinally extending arcuate channels 152disposed within slide chamber 140. Also shown in FIG. 12 are shockabsorbing members 184 and 186. These shock absorbers are similar tothose described with respect to dual chamber rodless slide assembly 40shown in FIG. 8.

A detail, sectional view of a portion of dual chamber rodless slideassembly 40 and 130 is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. This portion comprisesslot 52, located between chambers 48 and 50, as well as linear seal 66separating the two chambers. In this embodiment, when piston 56 is notengaging seal 66, the same is positioned like that shown in FIG. 14 formaintaining a seal between chambers 48 and 50. In this embodiment,retention legs 194 are biased away from each other so that their feet195 engage the side walls 198 and 200. These feet 195 wedge againstwalls 198 and 200 of slot 52 in conjunction with surfaces 202,maintaining a fluid separation between chambers 48 and 50. Duringinstances when linear seal 66 is drawn into piston 56, portions of thelinear seal 66 adjacent the grommet 64 may be partially separated fromslot 52. As shown in FIG. 15, when linear seal 66 is drawn away fromslot 52 and into chamber 48 and bore 68, the bias of legs 194 causes thefeet 195 to expand, yet, continue to engage walls 198 and 200, despitethe separation of surfaces 202. Illustratively, the feet 195 of linearseal 66 include angled surfaces with respect to walls 198 and 200. Theseangled surfaces 206 allow legs 194 to be drawn inwardly against theirbias when seal 66 reengages with slot 52.

Perspective, cut-away and detail views of dual chamber rodless slideassembly 130 are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. These views show therelationship between linear seal 66 and grommet 64, similar to thatshown in FIG. 3. It is appreciated that, although assembly 130 is shown,the particular disclosures with respect to piston assembly 44, seal 66,and arm 88 are the same for the embodiment of dual chamber rodless slideassembly 40 as well. The legs 194 of linear seal 66 are guided bygrommet 64.

Partially cut-away, perspective views of dual chamber rodless slideassembly 40 are shown in FIGS. 18 through 20. The views are partiallycut-away to show the details within piston chamber 48 and piston 56. Asshown in FIG. 18, for example, a portion of piston 56 has been removedto expose bore 68, revealing how linear seal 66 is disposed therethroughand engages channel portion 204 of grommet 64. A more detailed view ofthe cut-away portion of assembly 40 is shown in FIG. 19. In this view,as with all the views of FIGS. 18 through 20, a portion of linear seal66 is cut away so that the cross-section of the seal can be shown wherethe legs 194 of seal 66 engage channel portion 204. Additionally, thisview depicts how linear seal 66 is threaded through slots 70 and intoand out of bore 68 of piston 56. As piston 56 moves along the length ofchamber 48, linear seal 66 is being constantly threaded into and out ofpiston 56 to allow travel of the piston without breaking the sealbetween chambers 48 and 50. A yet closer detail view of the channelportion 204 of grommet 64 and the legs 194 of linear seal 66 are shownin FIG. 20.

Several views illustrating how linear seal 66 maintains its sealingeffect at the peripheries of piston assembly 44 are shown in FIGS. 21through 24. For example, FIG. 21 is a right-hand perspective, cut-awayview of a portion of dual chamber rodless slide assembly 40, showing theend of piston assembly 44 as well as a portion of linear seal 66. Thepiston assembly 44 is located within chamber 48, whereas a portion ofseal 66 is located in slot 52. In one embodiment, a piston seal 60 islocated at the periphery of piston assembly 44 within piston chamber 48.(See, also, FIG. 2.) Because such a seal is located at both peripheriesof the piston assembly 44, fluid that enters the chamber 48 must do soand remain on either side of piston assembly 44. This is why fluidpressure filling on one side of piston assembly 44 creates enough forceto expand the volume within the chamber by moving the piston assembly44. Seal 60 prevents any of that fluid from leaking into the pistonassembly 44 itself. Because slot 52 exists between chambers 48 and 50,in order to accommodate arm 88 (see, also, FIG. 3), a seal is maintainedexterior of piston assembly 44 to prevent any such leaking fromoccurring. As shown in FIG. 22, piston seal 60 is biased against linearseal 66, keeping the same against slot 52. Accordingly, as pistonassembly 44 travels, piston 56, with its grommet 64 engaging seal 66,pulls seal 66 from slot 52, during the concurrent movement of theconnected piston and slide assemblies 44 and 46, respectively. (See,also, FIGS. 19 and 20.) After a portion of seal 66 has been pulled awayfrom slot 52 and piston 56 has passed the bias of piston seal 60, forcesseal 66 back into slot 52, at least to the extent of creating a sealbetween the two chambers. The effect is a continuous sinusoidal motionof linear seal 66 being drawn into and out of slot 52 as piston 56passes while maintaining a seal between chambers 48 and 50. A left-hand,cut-away view of assembly 44 shown in FIG. 23 shows piston seal 60,again, biased against linear seal 66 to ensure a seal between linearseal 66 and slot 52 as piston 56 passes. A left-hand, detail view ofpiston seal 60 and linear seal 66 of FIG. 23 are shown in FIG. 24,again, depicting the maintenance of a seal between piston seal 60 andlinear seal 66.

A detailed exploded perspective view of piston seal 60 and a portion oflinear seal 66 is shown in FIG. 25. A bore 210 is disposed throughpiston seal 60 to illustratively accommodate piston caps 58. (See FIG.7.) About the outer periphery of piston seal 60 is a cavity 212 that isillustratively the shape of the head portion 214 of linear seal 66. Inthe illustrative embodiment, head portion 214 fits within cavity 212 forproviding a seal therebetween. The linear seal 66 is illustratively madefrom accurately extruded nylon to provide the complimentary shape withcavity 212 to form an air tight seal therebetween. In addition, pistonseal 60 comprises ridges 216, 218, 220, and 222 formed at the outerperiphery. The edges are illustratively rounded to maintain anylubricant, such as grease, on the walls of chamber 48. Furthermore, thisillustrative embodiment uses the plurality of such ridges located inseries to carry additional grease along the inner surface of pistonchamber 48 as needed. It is appreciated that any number of such ridges,such as those illustratively shown in FIG. 25, can be used, includingeven a single ridge.

A channel 224 is formed in piston seal 60 to provide an outward bias tothe seal 60 against the walls of chamber 48. This is accomplished byfluid entering the channel 224 which attempts to expand the walls of thechannel. This puts expansive pressure on the periphery of the seal. Thechannel sizes formed within piston seal 60 can vary, however. Forexample, in FIGS. 26 and 27, piston seal 60 has a deep channel 226. Asspecifically shown in FIG. 27, which is a cross-sectional view takenalong lines 27 of FIG. 26, the channel can be relatively deep. Incontrast, and as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, reinforcing portion 260 usedto reinforce cavity 212 can make the channel shallow.

A top, cross-sectional view of a portion of dual chamber rodless slideassembly 40 is shown in FIG. 30. This illustrative embodiment is similarto that shown in FIG. 7, with the exception of stud 302 having a studbore 304 extending therein and a vent bore 306. Stud bore 304 is incommunication with port 170 and with vent bore 306. Vent bore 306 isalso in communication with chamber 48 between seals 60 and 104. In thisillustrative embodiment, as piston assembly 44 travels in direction 12,fluid remaining in chamber 48 between seals 60 and 104 is exhaustedthrough bore 304 and 306 and out through port 170. As stud 302 engagessnout 308 in cap 6, seal 105, in conjunction therewith, prevents fluidin chamber 48 from exhausting through port 170. The fluid assists inproviding a resistance to the travel in direction 12, thereby dampeningthe kinetic energy. For example, volume within chamber 48 can bedetermined by the bore area of the chamber 48 minus the area and lengthof stud 302. A resisting force for stopping a load can be estimated bymultiplying the increased pressure, by the effective bore area ofchamber 48, and then comparing that resisting force to the kineticenergy applied by the mass and velocity of the load.

In order to prevent an excess build up of pressure within the portion ofchamber 48 shown in FIG. 30, the vent bore 306, being in communicationtherewith, allows fluid to enter and travel through stud bore 304 andout port 170. This controlled leak allows a measured reduction of theresistance force as the piston assembly 44 completes its stroke. It isappreciated that stud 302 may also comprise a cushion needle (not shown)to provide a secondary bleed-off orifice. It is contemplated that thisneedle can be adjustable. This would allow flexibility in the amount ofbleed-off that occurs from the orifice, which, in turn, controls theamount of resistance force acting on piston assembly 44. It isappreciated that associated structures are present at the opposite endof chamber 48 so that fluid is exhausted through port 172 in the samemanner as described with regard to port 170 when piston assembly 44travels in direction 14.

The illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 30 also discloses a guideangle 310 disposed on piston cap 58 which is shown illustrativelyopposite stud 302. The guide angle 310 assists linear seal 66 infollowing the path into and out of bore 68 of piston 56. In addition,piston cap 58 comprises a guide radius 312 configured to assist locatinglinear seal 66 into slot 52 as piston assembly 44 travels the length ofchamber 48. ALTHOUGH THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE HAS BEEN DESCRIBED WITHREFERENCE TO PARTICULAR MEANS, MATERIALS AND EMBODIMENTS, FROM THEFOREGOING DESCRIPTION, ONE SKILLED IN THE ART CAN EASILY ASCERTAIN THEESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE AND VARIOUS CHANGESAND MODIFICATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ADAPT THE VARIOUS USES ANDCHARACTERISTICS WITHOUT DEPARTING FROM THE SPIRIT AND SCOPE OF THEPRESENT INVENTION AS SET FORTH I

1. A rodless slide assembly comprising: a first longitudinally extendingchamber; a second longitudinally extending chamber located adjacent thefirst longitudinally extending chamber and in communication therewith; apiston assembly disposed in the first longitudinally extending chamberand movable relative thereto; and a slide assembly disposed in thesecond longitudinally extending chamber and movable relative thereto;wherein the piston assembly is coupled to the slide assembly.